Lippert Holds Pre-Game Shindig at ND Stadium

At Notre Dame Stadium, the football game is just part of the “Game Day” experience. As reported by the Goshen (Ind.) News, the parking lots that ring the historic stadium begin filling up early Saturday (Sept. 8) morning and by midmorning are packed with Fighting Irish fans cooking, eating, drinking — just soaking up the atmosphere that makes Irish football the tradition it is.

Goshen-based Lippert Components Inc. has turned the tailgate party into an art form over the past few years, hosting its own shindig before each home game.

Saturday was no different as Lippert Components staked out a spot in the Joyce Center lot, raised a tent, fired up the barbecues, cracked open a few adult and non-adult beverages, and invited employees, customers and friends to join in prior to the Irish’s 2012 home opener against in-state rival Purdue.

CEO Jason Lippert said the company employs about 5,200 people, most of those in Elkhart County.

The pre-game tailgate party was the brainchild of employee Marty McManus. From humble beginnings, the event now usually attracts anywhere from 200-300 people before each Irish home game – depending on a host of factors, including the weather and how good the team is at the time.

As the clock struck noon on Saturday — with about three and a half hours to kickoff — Lippert Components Plastics Group Sales Manager Rich Clark was manning the large covered tent, talking to guests and steering them toward the free food and drink offered.

Notre Dame football has been a family experience for Clark for more than 50 years. “My dad was an usher when I was young,” Clark said.

The logistics for putting on a tailgate party this large, as one might expect, can be tricky, Clark said.

“We have a set-up group that gets here at about 5:30 a.m. to get the tent set up, as well as the tables and chairs,” Clark said. “The food and another group gets here about 9, and then a teardown group takes over at about game time.”

Lippert said the party is a mixture of giving back to employees and customers. “They give us a budget, and we give them the money,” Lippert said.